Phil and Marsha Schaddelee, Winona Lake, recently celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary. The couple attends First Christian Church in Warsaw. Phil Schaddelee runs camera there and does other technical work. Photo provided by Phil Schaddelee.

By Laurie Lechlitner
InkFreeNews

WINONA LAKE — “When we follow Jesus, we’re not promised an easy life,” stated Phil Schaddelee, Winona Lake. “Divorce is hard for anyone. I’ve experienced it twice. There were days when I felt like I was flat on my back. But in that posture, all I could do was look up. That’s when I leaned into Jeremiah 29:11 in the Bible. It states, ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ And God has given me hope and a very good future.”

Schaddelee was raised in the Dutch Reformed Church in Chicago. “My grandparents on both sides attended that church. My grandpa led the choir, and my grandma played the organ there.”

When his family relocated, they started going to a Baptist Church. “Music runs in our family. My dad led the choir there and my mom played the piano.”

At 16, Schaddelee attended a seminar at his Baptist Church on witnessing. “We used a tract when we went out to witness. I read through the tract myself. I’d been raised in church, so I knew Jesus died for my sins. But then I stumbled upon a very important question. It asked, ‘Have you taken the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?’ I had to admit that I hadn’t formally done that.”

Schaddelee repeated the sinner’s prayer on the tract. “I said a simple prayer, stating that I was sorry for my sins and thanking Jesus for dying on the cross for me. I stated that I trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, and I wanted to live for Him.”

He was never one to get into trouble or do bad things as a youth. “The transformation was not so much outward. It was rather an inner transformation. I had the hope of eternal life that many others did not have.”

In his college days, Schaddelee worked with the youth group at a small church close to campus. After college, he got married.

“My first marriage produced three kids. When it fell apart my heart was broken. I had to leave the church we had attended together, because my ex-wife and her family attended there.”

His second wife lived in Goshen. “We got married and attended the Mennonite Church together. But our marriage was short-lived.”

Then he met Marsha Schaddelee. “We got married and attended Walnut Creek United Methodist Church together for 20 years. Pastor Frank Beard was a mentor to both of us. I was part of the praise team there, did technical work and helped with live broadcast.”

Two years ago, the Schaddelees began attending First Christian Church in Warsaw. “I love the fact that our pastor speaks directly from the Bible and lets God’s word do the talking. I run camera for livestreaming and do other tech work at the church. I work very closely with the worship pastor.”

He and Marsha recently celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary. “God continues to bless us both as we follow him. We enjoy our five kids and five grandchildren.”

Schaddelee concluded, “Two months ago, I left my job. The Lord provided me with another job at a Christian company, PWI in Nappanee. Every staff meeting begins with prayer. God continues to give me a bright future.”